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Product: INDUSTRIAL ENGINE

Model: D399 INDUSTRIAL ENGINE 35B
Configuration: D399 INDUSTRIAL ENGINE 35B00688-UP

Engine News
1986/09/01
Media Number -SEBD9114-00 Publication Date -01/09/1986 Date Updated -01/09/1986

Bearing Failures On Engines Due To Lack Of Lubrication

SM CS - 1052

Field reports occasionally identify the cause of rod bearing failures as "unexplained" lack of
lubrication. A preliminary examination of engine maintenance and work application provides no
obvious explanation for bearing damage and/or failure.

Caterpillar believes that most failures caused by marginal lubrication conditions will fall into one
or more of the following categories.

1. Low Oil Level - Engines with excessive oil consumption or serious leaks are prime
suspects.
2. Quick Starts After Oil Change - The empty oil filter can cause a delay in engine oil
pressure and can cause bearing damage. Always crank the engine with fuel shut off to
develop oil pressure, or start engine at low idle rpm.
3. Cold Starts - Repeated rapid starts to high idle rpm (to get air tanks filled, etc.) can
damage crankshaft bearings, especially in cold temperatures with heavier grades of
lubrication oil such as SAE 30 or SAE 40 oil.
4. Dry Starts - Engines should be pressure lubricated after a rebuild or after not being used
for 30 days or more prior to starting the engine.
5. Operating On Excessive Slopes - Industrial, marine and generator set engines should be
installed and operated within specifications relating to tilt or slope of the engine and
maintain the required lubrication overfill volumes that are specified.
6. Running Engine Backwards - Several conditions can lead to opposite rotation of the
crankshaft, most of these occurring when there is excessive engine load at low idle rpm. See
Engine News, December 12, 1984, page 2, "Causes And Correction Of Opposite Crankshaft
Rotation In Direct Injection Engines".
7. Dilution of Lubrication Oil - Fuel/coolant dilution can be a contributor to lack of lube
failures.
8. Other Parts Failures - Failures of other components such as oil pump, oil lines or bypass
valves are not normal causes, but they are possible and can be verified.

Another question frequently asked is, "Can the lead-tin overlay (LTO) smearing of crankshaft
bearings be caused from the clearance and loss of oil pressure from a spun bearing?" Caterpillar
engines may see a pressure drop from the failed bearing, but Caterpillar believes the oil pump is
designed with enough capacity to handle a single bearing failure without significant loss of engine
oil pressure. Also, as the above list indicates, a failure may result many miles after a set of
bearings has been smeared or scuffed from a lack of lube condition. A bearing inspection is
recommended when any lack of lube condition occurs.

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